Non-Muslims urged to test, pre-nuptial HIV screening good

NST: Non-Muslims in Johor are encouraged to go for a pre-nuptial HIV screening following the success of a similar programme for Muslims.
The screening for non-Muslims, however, is voluntary. For Muslims, it is mandatory.
Johor enforced the ruling after a high percentage of Muslim men were found to be HIV-positive, and it raised the spectre of HIV-infected children.
State executive councillor Dr Robiah Kosai said the State Government was keen to extend the scheme to non-Muslims, for the welfare of their families.
"We cannot stop non-Muslim couples from marrying if they choose not to go for the screening. There will be no compulsion. It will be entirely voluntary," she said.
Dr Robiah, who heads the Women, Family and Social Development State Committee, said the Johor Welfare Department, in association with selected non-governmental organisations, would conduct special courses and counsel couples who did not object to the programme.
"The module used will be similar to the one we have for Muslims," she told reporters after a dialogue with fishermen at Parit Jawa fishing village, 12km from here.
HIV tests have been mandatory for Muslim couples planning marriage in the State since Nov 13, 2001.
The move initially drew considerable flak from the public, medical associations and religious bodies who claimed that such testing without an individual’s consent was not in the interest of public health.
They had also argued that compulsory HIV testing risked social stigmatisation and discrimination.
But the programme has since been adopted by several States after it was found to be effective in curbing the spread of HIV.
Under the programme, Muslim couples wanting to marry must undergo an HIV test at a government hospital or clinic, and deliver their doctor-certified test results to the religious authority conducting their wedding.
Couples certified fit and healthy will be issued a certificate and their marriage can be solemnised.
If either the man or woman tests positive, he or she has to undergo three months of counselling and medical treatment.
The intended partner of the infected spouse-to-be will be informed about the latter’s HIV-positive status, and it will be up to them if they wish to proceed with the marriage.